Turneffe Atoll Marine Reserve
Establishing Turneffe Atoll as a Marine Reserve is critical to the protection of Turneffe from destructive devlopment pressures as well as for the effective long term management of the atoll.
In June 2010, Turneffe Atoll Trust formed the Turneffe Atoll Sustainability Council to address the need for sustainable management of Turneffe Atoll. The Sustainability Council elected to pursue a Marine Reserve and since then, Turneffe Atoll Trust has led the effort to establish the Turneffe Atoll Marine Reserve.
In January, 2012, the 280 page Turneffe Atoll Marine Reserve Management Plan, funded by Turneffe Atoll Trust, was completed and forwarded to the Ministy of Agriculture and Fisheries for presentation to Belize's Cabinet. Unfortunately, general elections have slowed the process and the Reserve is currently on hold pending elections in March. Hopefully, the process will be back on track shortly after elections.
In June 2010, Turneffe Atoll Trust formed the Turneffe Atoll Sustainability Council to address the need for sustainable management of Turneffe Atoll. The Sustainability Council elected to pursue a Marine Reserve and since then, Turneffe Atoll Trust has led the effort to establish the Turneffe Atoll Marine Reserve.
In January, 2012, the 280 page Turneffe Atoll Marine Reserve Management Plan, funded by Turneffe Atoll Trust, was completed and forwarded to the Ministy of Agriculture and Fisheries for presentation to Belize's Cabinet. Unfortunately, general elections have slowed the process and the Reserve is currently on hold pending elections in March. Hopefully, the process will be back on track shortly after elections.
Turneffe Atoll is the jewel of the Mesoamerican Reef System,
the largest coral reef system in the Western Hemispehere